"A uniformly warm, dry September speeded fall harvest
but further increased drought conditions in southern and central Illinois. Statewide
rainfall was 1.71 inches, 1.48 inches below normal, and the 12th
driest September since 1895. Temperatures in Illinois averaged 69.8 degrees, 3.6 degrees
above normal, and the 15th warmest September on record," says State
Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu),
a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"While warm, dry conditions rapidly
dried corn and soybeans in the field, much of southern Illinois, south of Interstate 70, is
classified as being in severe drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Much of central Illinois is classified as either abnormally
dry or in moderate drought. Initial reports indicate that corn fared better
than soybeans in dry areas. At least one city water supply has been severely
impacted by drought. The city of Decatur is
expecting to enact mandatory water conservation measures within the next few
weeks as the level of LakeDecatur continues to drop,"
says Angel.

"The National Weather Service
outlook indicates that the warm weather will continue over the next two weeks, with
only a few opportunities for rain. That may be more good news for the grain
harvest, but it wont help recharge soil moisture, streams, and lakes,"
concludes Angel.

Disclaimer: Data used for all statistics provided herein are from
the MidwesternRegionalClimateCenter and are based on
preliminary data.